Black-figure is a style of ancient Greek pottery decoration that emerged around the 7th century BCE. In this technique, artists painted figures and scenes in a black slip on the natural red clay of the pot. After firing, the black areas appear glossy, while the background remains a matte red, creating a striking contrast. This method allowed for intricate details to be carved into the black figures, enhancing the visual storytelling. Common themes included mythology, daily life, and athletic competitions, often featuring gods, heroes, and scenes from Greek mythology. The black-figure style was eventually succeeded by the red-figure technique in the 5th century BCE.